Variety of geranium named `Valentine`

ABSTRACT

The new cultivar is an early, rich flowering variety. Its elegant deep pink flowers with a very distinct magenta eye is very attractive over the medium green foliage. The cultivar produces big umbels and continuously flower. It demonstrates good garden and greenhouse performance. The new cultivar is an improvement in comparison to the current varieties &#34;First Kiss&#34; and &#34;L&#39;amour.&#34;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known in the United States by the varietal name`Valentine` (and marketed in the United States as `PAC Valentine(Jonos)` and known in Europe by the varietal name `Jonos`). The newcultivar was discovered at Elsner pac Jungpflanzen in Dresden, Germanyin 1995. The new variety was discovered in a cultivated area and is amutation of the unpatented variety `Jana`. The new variety was firstasexually reproduced by cuttings at Elsner pac Jungpflanzen in Dresden,Germany in 1995. It has also been trial and field tested in Dresden,Germany and at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The plant history was taken on six week plants blossomed under thenatural light in a greenhouse in 10 cm pots. The culivar when grown in aglass greenhouse was potted on Feb. 13, 1996 and flowered on Mar. 25,1996.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new cultivar, thecolor being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected from asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee, Ltd. inConnellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on six week plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and the color readingswere taken indoors under 200-220 footcandles of cool white fluorescentlight. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×hortorum.

Commercial.--Florists' zonal geranium.

Form.--Medium mound, uniform.

Height.--15.0-17.5 cm.

Growth.--Free basal branching.

Strength.--Stands upright without artificial support.

Foliage.--Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--7.5-9.0 cm.

Shape.--Reniform.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Pubescent, slightly reflective, smooth.

Color.--Top: Green Group 137A. Bottom: Green Group 138A. Zone: Noprominent zone present.

Ribs and veins.--Venation: Palmate. Color: Yellow-Green Group 144C.

Petioles:

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Length.--6.0-11.0 cm.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 144B.

Internodes.--2.0-3.0 cm in length.

The Bud (Umbel)

Shape: Upright hemispherical clusters.

Size: 3.0 cm, just cracking color.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Free and early flowering, semi-double, continuous.

Size (diameter): 4.5-7.5 cm, fully open bloom.

Borne: Umbel, floret on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle, flowers 7.5-10.0cm above the foliage.

Florets:

Closed size.--1.0-1.5 cm, just cracking color.

Form.--Slightly cupped, ruffled.

Color.--Top: Red-Purple Group 67B. Bottom: Red-Purple Group 67C at outeredge fading to Red-Purple Group 68D with veins of Red-Purple Group 68A.Eye: Bottom 4-7 petals: Red-Purple Group 66A "spot" with white at verymiddle. Top petals: Red-Purple Group 66A with white at center.

Petals:

Quantity.--6-9.

Size.--2.5-3.0 cm.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth, reflective.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--1-2.

Shape.--Irregular, twisted, ruffled.

Color.--Top: Red-Purple Group 67C, some having a Red-Purple Group 66Aeye. Bottom: Red-Purple Group 68D.

Pedicel:

Color.--Red-Purple Group 60A with Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Length.--2.5-4.0 cm.

Peduncle:

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 144A.

Length.--16.5-22.0 cm.

Disease resistance: Not known.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--3.0 mm in length.

Filaments.--Length: 9.0-10.0 mm. Color: White.

Pollen.--Golden Orange.

Pistils:

Number.--5-6.

Length.--1.0 mm.

Stigma.--Color: Deep Magenta/Purple.

Style.--Length: 4.0 mm.

Ovaries.--Length: 7.0 mm. Color: Pale Green. Characteristics: Superior.

Fruit: None observed.

General Characteristics

1. New deep pink color with a very distinct magenta eye.

2. Early, free flowering.

3. Elegant flowers, big umbels and continuous flowering. 4. Similar inappearance to with certain morphological differences from the currentvarieties `First Kiss` (PPO9168) and `L'amour` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,287) but having greatly improved heat tolerance, greenhouseperformance and outdoor garden performance over `First Kiss` and`L'amour`.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyshown and described.